From Publishers Weekly
Southwest Airlines began operating in 1971 with four planes serving three cities and with revenues of $2 million. In 1995, the company had 224 planes serving 45 cities and revenues of almost $3 billion. Moreover, the company has made a profit every year since 1973, one of the few airlines that can make that claim. The authors, a husband and wife who are partners in a San Diego consulting firm, attribute much of Southwest's success to the willingness of its management, led by chairman Herb Kelleher, to be innovative. Southwest's primary operating philosophy is low fares and lots of flights. To make this formula work, Southwest management has created a culture where employees are treated as the company's number one asset. The Freibergs list a number of things the airline management does to benefit its employees, including such programs as profit-sharing and empowering employees to make decisions. Southwest also mixes in New Age management techniques, such as celebrating different milestones, and letting love play a part in running the airline (the company's stock ticker symbol is LUV). The Freibergs state up front that their work is not an expose and make no apologies for presenting a very positive and optimistic view. While the success the airline has achieved is worthy of study, some critical analysis would have made for a more worthwhile presentation. Photos. 150,000 first printing; $300,000 ad/promo. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Business trainers and principals of their own consulting company, the Freibergs draw from personal interviews, surveys, and extensive research in telling the story of Southwest Airlines, which has been profitable for over 23 years at a time when the airline industry has been troubled with fare wars, layoffs, and soaring operating costs. The authors discuss Southwest's philosophy under the leadership of its dynamic and charismatic CEO, Herb Kelleher, who attributes the company's success to its outstanding customer service; low fares and maintenance (no meals are served, only nuts); short-haul, high-frequency, point-to-point service; and a belief that employees come first. "LUV," Southwest's New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol and past advertising theme, represents the caring character of the company, which the authors emphasize to the point of sounding corny. Several chapters conclude with brief summaries entitled "Success in a nutshell," which cover the eccentric elements of Southwest's corporate culture. Recommended for readers who like that style.?Bellinda Wise, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, N.Y.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From the Publisher
How can a company be so NUTS and be so successful? Now, Southwest's secrets are out. Management consultants Kevin and Jackie Freiberg describe the inner workings of one of America's biggest success stories. They know Southwest, inside and out, having worked with the company for more than 10 years.


From Booklist
When a comparatively small, new company is able to take on major players in a highly competitive industry and gain market share, satisfy customers and employees alike, and make money, it is time for others to take notice. Southwest Airlines has turned a profit every year since 1973, yet it maintains the lowest fares in the industry. It has never furloughed an employee, regularly ranks best in customer service, and has a consistently high safety record. The Freibergs are partners in a San Diego consulting firm and specialize in "executive coaching," conducting motivational and leadership seminars. Here they tell Southwest's story, which begins with its struggle in the late 1960s with Texas' larger, established airlines, which fought to prevent Southwest from taking off. The authors attribute much of the airline's success to the personality and leadership style of CEO Herb Kelleher and the unique corporate culture he has nourished. "Nuts!" is a reference to the 67 million bags of peanuts served last year on Southwest flights and to the company's rule-breaking philosophy. David Rouse


Review
The remarkable story of the country's most successful airline and Herb Kelleher, the CEO who built it with integrity, guts, and nuts.

"If you're interested in making your employees and customers raving fans of your business, Nuts! is a must read."
--Ken Blanchard, Coauthor of The One Minute Manager

"Full of original insights, upbeat stories, and concrete suggestions, Nuts! shows how the power of principle-centered leadership inspires people to achieve incredible results."
--Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

"The story of Southwest Airlines is as much fun to read as it is reader friendly and useful. I promise you, it's a blueprint for all organizations that want to succeed--not just airlines."
--Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a Leader

Rated the #1 Company to Work for in America by Fortune magazine


Review
The remarkable story of the country's most successful airline and Herb Kelleher, the CEO who built it with integrity, guts, and nuts.

"If you're interested in making your employees and customers raving fans of your business, Nuts! is a must read."
--Ken Blanchard, Coauthor of The One Minute Manager

"Full of original insights, upbeat stories, and concrete suggestions, Nuts! shows how the power of principle-centered leadership inspires people to achieve incredible results."
--Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

"The story of Southwest Airlines is as much fun to read as it is reader friendly and useful. I promise you, it's a blueprint for all organizations that want to succeed--not just airlines."
--Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a Leader

Rated the #1 Company to Work for in America by Fortune magazine


Book Description
Twenty-five years ago, Herb Kelleher reinvented air travel when he founded Southwest Airlines, where the planes are painted like killer whales, a typical company maxim is "Hire people with a sense of humor," and in-flight meals are never served--just sixty million bags of peanuts a year. By sidestepping "reengineering," "total quality management," and other management philosophies and employing its own brand of business success, Kelleher's airline has turned a profit for twenty-four consecutive years and seen its stock soar 300 percent since 1990.Today, Southwest is the safest airline in the world and ranks number one in the industry for service, on-time performance, and lowest employee turnover rate; and Fortune magazine has twice ranked Southwest one of the ten best companies to work for in America. How do they do it?With unlimited access to the people and inside documents of Southwest Airlines, authors Kevin and Jackie Freiberg share the secrets behind the greatest success story in commercial aviation. Read it and discover how to transfer the Southwest inspiration to your own business and personal life.


Book Info
Southwest Airlines' crazy recipe for business and personal success. NUTS! is a must read if you're interested in making your employees and customers raving fans of your business. Foreword by Tom Peters. DLC: Southwest Airlines Co.


From the Publisher
The remarkable story of the country's most successful airline and Herb Kelleher, the CEO who built it with integrity, guts, and nuts."If you're interested in making your employees and customers raving fans of your business, Nuts! is a must read."
--Ken Blanchard, Coauthor of The One Minute Manager"Full of original insights, upbeat stories, and concrete suggestions, Nuts! shows how the power of principle-centered leadership inspires people to achieve incredible results."
--Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"The story of Southwest Airlines is as much fun to read as it is reader friendly and useful. I promise you, it's a blueprint for all organizations that want to succeed--not just airlines."
--Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a LeaderRated the #1 Company to Work for in America by Fortune magazine


From the Inside Flap
Twenty-five years ago, Herb Kelleher reinvented air travel when he founded Southwest Airlines, where the planes are painted like killer whales, a typical company maxim is "Hire people with a sense of humor," and in-flight meals are never served--just sixty million bags of peanuts a year. By sidestepping "reengineering," "total quality management," and other management philosophies and employing its own brand of business success, Kelleher's airline has turned a profit for twenty-four consecutive years and seen its stock soar 300 percent since 1990.

Today, Southwest is the safest airline in the world and ranks number one in the industry for service, on-time performance, and lowest employee turnover rate; and Fortune magazine has twice ranked Southwest one of the ten best companies to work for in America. How do they do it?

With unlimited access to the people and inside documents of Southwest Airlines, authors Kevin and Jackie Freiberg share the secrets behind the greatest success story in commercial aviation. Read it and discover how to transfer the Southwest inspiration to your own business and personal life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER